(Newser)
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Now that its 22-day offensive in Gaza has ended, Israel is facing a new battle—over the legality and morality of its military action. Several human rights groups, in Israel and elsewhere, have accused the army of committing war crimes in Gaza's cities and denying medical care and refuge to civilians. But PM Ehud Olmert said his government would "stand like a fortified wall" to protect officers from prosecution, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Israel in turn has accused Hamas of war crimes, for firing rockets at civilians in southern Israel and for using civilians and human shields. But it is Israel's action—criticized as out of proportion—receiving the most scrutiny, and the senior UN official in Gaza has called for an inquiry into possible war crimes. While Israel strongly denies any impropriety, it now insists that officers only give TV interviews with their faces blurred—lest they face international charges.

Better to wipe out the cancer (hammas) than to let it grow, and unfortunately Hammas "metastisized" into the innocent population, and they suffer the same fate as the rocket launching hiding cowards....Look Mustapha...a day care, lets launch from there, the children make good sheilds yes?

Guest

Jan 23, 2009 4:21 AM CST

Yes, of course, the Palestinian people are just a bunch of vermin that don't deserve life. The Geneva Convention is only for humans, right? None of this is Israel's fault anyway and they can simply solve the situation by using more force. That's certainly a new and promising strategy.

Guest

Jan 22, 2009 11:35 PM CST

War Crimes?? They should have never stopped the offensive. This ain't over yet.... and they shoulda finished it in GAZA. MISTAKE if you ask me!!